The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will deliver the keynote address at a function to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sugar Milling Research Institute (SMRI).
Minister Pandor, the SMRI CEO, Dr Janice Dewar, and the Chairperson of the SMRI Board, Mr Dave Meadows, will address a press conference immediately after the speeches.
Located on the Howard College Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the SMRI is the central scientific organisation involved in research work and technical services to support the southern African sugar manufacturing/milling industries.
As part of a consortium with the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the South African Sugarcane Research Institute, the institution has been interacting with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for some time to source funding for the establishment of a strategic sugar cane research platform.
The Centre of Competence (CoC) will, as a strategic intervention, focus on innovative research to ensure a thriving future for the sugar cane industry.
During the latter part of 2008, the DST funded the development of a feasibility study on the proposed CoC in sugar cane research. On the basis of the support received in this regard, the DST has mandated the PlantBio Trust to administer the implementation process for the proposed CoC.
PlantBio Trust is a national entity of the DST located in Pietermaritzburg, established under the National Biotechnology Strategy to promote and develop plant biotechnology. It is currently reviewing some proposals and should soon be in a position to announce the first projects to be funded as part of this initiative.
Details of the event
Date: 1 December 2009
Venue: Durban Country Club, KwaZulu-Natal
Time: 12h30 to 13h00
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6828
Cell: 082 556 0446
E-mail:lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
27 November 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
